Garrosh will be this expansion's final boss.Female pandaren were revealed.Eleven character slots will let everyone try out a monk.A new faction lets player have their own farms in-game. They will be able to manage livestock and more all the while gaining reputation. Other factions will offer other activities, from raising a serpent to become your mount to defending outposts for dailies.Cooking will have four specializations allowing for customized food.Prime glyphs have been removed and many new vanity glyphs have taken their place.The Lorewalkers will urge players to explore the world around them by providing cutscenes and rewards. They will help flesh out archaeology into a more rewarding profession.Monks had their auto attack added back in and were much more developed--see our monk section!Challenge modes will grant realm first achievements for ranked completion times, in addition to the already planned transmogrification rewards.Pet battles are WoW's first true minigame. They will not count losses, will be light-hearted and anonymous, and they will have everything mentioned at BlizzCon including rare varieties of existing pets.The Defense of the Ancients battleground concept was scrapped; world PvP objectives were added. Control areas of Pandaria to increase your faction's conquest point weekly cap.LFR will be available at level 90 for all fourteen boss encounters . They will be tweaking loot rules and more.The valor point system will be entirely revamped. Players will augment their gear and upgrade levels using them.

Pandaria Overview

Factions

This expansion, Blizzard wants factions in Mists of Pandaria to be more meaningful than just a bar that keeps growing. They're actively searching for ways to make them varied; taking the best experiences from their past expansions and also adding new ones. You will even be able to create your own farm with your own livestock, fields, and more to gain reputation for one of the factions.

Here are Mists of Pandaria's known factions:

Tillers and Anglers (Artisans): Located in the heartland of Pandaria, these will offer dailies in a 'farmer's market' type setting. A special perk when gaining reputation with the Tillers is your very own customizable farm. You will be able to acquire livestock, plant fields, and decorate your building as you gain reputation.August Celestials: Four ancestral spirits need your help in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms--Yu'lon the Jade Serpent, Xuen the White Tiger, Chi Ji the Red Crane, and Niuzao the Black Ox. Brewmasters: Wandering faction of brewers looking for exotic ingredients--one of the factions that will offer Scenarios (such as defending a brewery from attackers.)Golden Lotus: Tied to the August Celestials. Order of pandaren priests and fighters, but there aren't enough to fight off the Mogu. Each day, a different part of the valley is under attack and the daily quests will send you there. As you gain reputation, you will be sent further afield. At first, you won't be right on the frontlines--it will be a process of exploration and slowly gaining trust.Klaxxi: Rebel order of mantid lords who fear their queen has gone insane.Lorewalkers: Keepers of pandaren culture. Players who return artifacts from Pandaria will gain reputation and be treated to additional cut-scenes and lore content in their grand library.Order of the Cloud Serpent: Ancient order of flying warriors: will teach players how to train cloud serpent to become a mount (similar to Wintersaber grind) with enough reputation. Several colors of mounts to choose from. Training process will roughly be 20 days. Racetrack with spectators cheering you on will surround this area--you will train and gain reputation partially by navigating this course.Shado-Pan: Guardians against the Sha--very disciplined. Created by the last Pandaren emperor to protect the empire against both the Sha and the mantids. Must keep emotions in check--if they show fear, the Sha will get in and corrupt. Armor rewards are promised to look 'especially cool'--but not available to preview yet.

Zones

Although BlizzCon gave a good amount of information on Pandaria's zones, this press event showed us two new zones! These zones have completely new terrain, not just large zones split in half.

Even more exciting--world bosses are making a comeback in these zones, and they'll all drop unique mounts!

New Zones

Krasarang Wilds: Pandaria's southern shore--a coastal rainforest with grand M'ogu ruins. The M'ogu were the original rulers of Pandaria over 10,000 years ago and they really want their lands back. Part of the shore area looks unassuming, but it will be the location for future Alliance/Horde settlements in future patches.Dread Wastes: Ruled by the Sha of Fear--a mix of swamps and deserts.

Other Zones

Vale of Eternal Blossoms: This is the sacred heart of the Pandaria empire and the original seat of the Mogu empire. Ancient majestic temples are still intact--lots of gold scrollwork and epic buildings here. The Mogu are especially keen to control it again because they draw their power from sacred pools in the center of the zone. Alliance and Horde player hubs are located here--they are really ornate, putting Dalaran to shame. Lorewalkers, Gold Lotus, and Mogu'shan Palace are also located here.Kun-Lai Summit: Lowland plains, the home of the Yaungol, and high peaks, the home of the Shado-pan.Jade Forest: One of the level 85 questing zones, but also content players can do at level 90--training a Cloud Serpent mount. Players will meet the Jinyu and Hozen here, clashing in a terrible battle at the feet of a heroic ancestral dragon statue.Valley of the Four Winds: Heartland of Pandaria, with tons of farmland, as well as the legendary Stormstout Brewery. Chen Stormstout returns, happy to discover that the brewery was named in his honor, but he's dismayed at the trouble within. Decision was made to have the dungeon also be a building in the zone, so players could enter at earlier points while questing.

Bestiary

The conference gave us a little more insight to the bestiary of Mists of Pandaria. It sounds like they will be a memorable cast of both friends and foes.

Friendly

Cloud Serpents: Playful race of dragon-like creatures in a variety of striking cultures. While a handful have become corrupted, most are friends of the island and serve as companions to the Pandaren. Players who gain reputation with the Order of the Cloud Serpent can eventually obtain one as a mount.Hozen: From the press conference--"14 year old boys running around the jungle with Horde machine guns--but monkeys. Nothing can go wrong with this plan." The Horde chooses to ally themselves with this chaotic race of monkeys, which are the bane of the calm Jinyu. Jinyu: A peaceful race of freshwater amphibians the Alliance befriends. The pandaren look up to them as a wise, yet overly strict, race of Elders. The upper caste of Jinyu consists of Waterspeakers, who can place staves into the river to learn its secrets and clues about the future.Sprites: Pranksters and embodiments of nature. Many forest sprites’ pranks – disguising themselves as stools to trip people, or throwing fruit and nuts at wanderers – seem harmless, but some have been tainted by the Sha.Yaungol: A newly-discovered descendent of Tauren, similar to the Taunka in Northrend. When Pandaria broke up, they were stranded and eventually developed into a visually distinct sub-race. They've been forced out of Townlong Steppes by the Mantids and ferociously want their lands back.

Hostile

Mantid: Insect-like creatures that attack Pandaria whenever the new generation hatches. Very cunning both in solo and group combat. The Mogu built a huge wall as defense--thousands of years later, this still needs to be maintained.Mogu: Founded the first empire of Pandaria through brute force and war. They are also skilled flesh-shapers, using this ability to create new races to do their bidding. Overthrown once the pandaren learned unarmed combat--some of their epic temples still remain, in ruins scattered about the continent. They are currently scheming to retake the pandaren empire and mostly reside in the Krasarang Wilds.Saurok: A lizard-like race first created by Mogu flesh-shapers to be smart enough to fight well, but not function beyond that. Some escaped and eventually developed into a fully-functioning race.Sha: Lethal dark energy--absorbs hateful emotions and easily corrupts those who are unsuspecting. Negative emotions in a physical form. Of course, the Alliance and Horde escalating conflicts on Pandaria lead to even more Sha.Virmen: A race of "evil crazy bunnies." They're a real problem for the pandaren, because they'll eat everything. Blizzard seems to have had some fun with their abilities--a boss virmen, Hoptallus, has Furwind for an AOE and Carrot Breath for a conal effect. Trash virmen in instances carry hammers that players can pick up for more damage.

Lore

Everyone has been wondering since BlizzCon what the lore differences will be between Alliance and Horde pandaren--well, now we know!

We also learned that Garrosh will become the overarching villian of this expansion as he grows hungry and out of control. Mists of Pandaria's final patch will focus on taking him down, as all races unite to end his reign.

Alliance & Horde

The boxed product is intended to be an adventure without a supervillian. For example, in Wrath, everyone knew they'd fight Arthas just from looking on the box. Mists is meant to be more of a vanilla model, where players are meant to engage with new cultures and factions.Fleets will arrive and claim Pandaria's southern shores, as the mists mysteriously part after thousands of years and the ships went off course, thanks to Garrosh's naval warfare. The Alliance and Horde will react to the clash, summoning forces for counter attacks.The lightness and serenity of Pandaria are meant to be a contrast to the warfare to come--it will be a setting for tragedy and heroics. In later patches, fortress will be built in otherwise peaceful areas.All the new fighting on Pandaria unleashes the full wrath of the Sha, a force that feeds upon negative energy. In addition, the strengthened Sha will infect the mantids, making their annual swarm even more potent than usual. Meanwhile, the ferocious Mogu will reunite with the Zandalari, their old friends, in an attempt to reclaim their kingdom.As patches progress, the Alliance and Horde decide that Garrosh is a menace, growing even more power-hungry with each development. The final patch will be the Siege of Orgrimmar, where everyone unites to take him down.

Pandaren Faction Differences

Pandaren that join the Alliance and the Horde are considered to be very rare--they're a subset of the already-rare group that's decided to explore and live on The Wandering Isle. Most Pandaren remain neutral and isolated on the main continent. Pandaren that pick a faction do so knowing that isolate them from their previous world and family.Pandaren live in the moment--while they're reclusive, everything they do is whole-hearted and intense, from farming to drinking to sleeping. They prefer meditation to combat--when they do fight, it's with their whole body. They are careful to show negative emotions, as that quite literally can summon a physical enemy.Alliance Pandaren follow the path of the Tushui, focusing on justice and morality. Their leader is Aysa Cloudsinger, who firmly believes success in any endeavor never justifies immoral deeds.Horde Pandaren follow the path of the Houjin, which are impulsive and pracical. Ji Firepaw is the leader, believing it's honorable to defend home and family no matter the cost.Before Mists, interactions with the Alliance and Horde were very rare. Chen Stormstout is one of the most famous explorers, taking part in epic events such as the Liberation of Theramore while always on the move for exotic brewing ingredients. He's back in Mists on the Pandaren mainland, investigating the problems behind his brewery.

New Content

Professions

With the prime glyph category removed, scribes are getting tons of new glyphs for vanity purposes to make up for the loss. From being able to turn into an Orca as a druid to a paladin's mount changing cosmetically, there are tons of glyphs and we have a small preview of them--expect many more to come!

Unfortunately, not too many other professions were covered yet.

General Changes

Archaeology: There will be many new artifacts to discover in Pandaria, and the new Lorewalker faction will allow you to learn about the Pandaren's culture in-depth--should make Archaeology feel like less of an impersonal grind. Players will present an artifact to the Lorewalkers in their grand library, and they'll be treated to a presentation on the library's stage. As for the existing races and artifacts, there are plans to tie the Lorewalkers into discovering these artifacts as well.Cooking: Four specializations will be added for foods with distinctive stats. Dedicated players can learn all specializations for additional achievements.Inscription: The Prime Glyph category is now removed. There will be more of an emphasis on cosmetic glyphs in the minor slots.

New Glyphs

Here's a list of some of the new glyphs we found at the press conference:Glyph of Stars: Moonkin Form ability is replaced with Astral Form, conferring all the same benefits, but now appearing as an astrally enchanted version of your normal humanoid form.Glyph of the Chameleon: Each time you shapeshift into Cat Form or Bear Form, your shapeshifted form will have a random hair color.Glyph of the Orca: Your Aquatic Form now appears as an Orca.Glyph of the Stag: Your Travel Form now appears as a Stag and can be used as a mount by party members.Glyph of the Treant: Allows you to shapeshift into Treant Form. The act of shapeshifting frees the caster of movement slowing effects.The Moonbeast: You can now cast Healing Touch, Rejuvenation, and Tranquility without canceling Moonkin Form.Glyph of Righteous Retreat: During Divine Shield, you can invoke your Hearthstone 50% faster.Glyph of the Falling Avenger: You slow fall during Avenging Wrath.Glyph of Bladed Judgement: Your Judgement spell depicts an axe or sword instead of a hammer, if you have an axe or sword equipped.Glyph of Winged Vengence: You grow larger during Avenging Wrath.Glyph of Mounted Kings: Mounting a paladin mount automatically casts Blessing of Kings on you.Glyph of the Luminous Charger: Your paladin class mounts glow with Holy Light.Glyph of Fire From the Heavens: Your Judgment and Hammer of Wrath critical strikes call down fire from the sky.Glyph of Ice Lance: Your Ice Lance now hits 1 additional target for 50% damage.Glyph of Counterspell: Your Counterspell can now be cast while casting or channeling other spells, but its cooldown is increased by 4 sec.

PvP

Blizzard originally proposed three new battlegrounds at BlizzCon, but has trimmed it down to two for Mists of Pandaria's release.

They are also trying to revisit world PvP to make the world more alive. The more locations players fight on and win for their faction, the more conquest points their weekly cap will allow.

Temple of Mogu: Located in the middle of the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, players vie to pick up and control an ancient artifact. This artifact gives the player a damage buff but also increases damage taken--the goal is to have the artifact constantly changing hands. Another twist is that different parts of the map award varying amounts of resources--holding onto the artifact in a risky area of the terrain will yield more resources per minute. This is intended to be a fast-paced BG in a new style from previous ones.Silver Shard Mine: Underground area with mineral-rich resources that travel in mine cars. These mine cars are capture points--think of EotS, but moving. The Alliance and Horde want to capture these mine cars before they get to the depot, and at various points on the rails, there are splits where the mine cars can go either way. Depending on who controls channel points, the cart can travel different ways.World PvP: Conquest point cap will increase as players win world objectives. For example, personally conquering Southshore and Tarren Mill back in the day would have been great for this dynamic.

Challenge Modes

Challenge modes remain similar to what BlizzCon said about them. However, they have hinted to having realm first achievements tied to them. It's possible this will be scrapped, but if it remains, expect a lot of controversy--and competition!

There are three levels of rewards:Bronze: Achievements.Silver: Special transmog armor--example was gilded rogue armor with asymmetrical dragon shoulders.Gold: Access to a mount with unique look.Once players have beaten all the gold achievements, they have access to a realm leaderboard.Challenge-mode leaderboards allow players to filter by instance, time, and by guild.Inspiration for challenge modes: timed Stratholme runs and the original Zul'Aman run for the Amani War Bear.Intended to be competitive PvE without confrontation, and a way to foster community within guilds.Player's UI will show medal tabulation, record times, rewards, and how much time mid-run until you hit the next bracket.Several achievements for Challenge Modes were available on press servers. There were achievements at all levels for completing the instance, as well as 'Full' achievements for obtaining a medal in every instance. There were also Realm Firsts for Gold and Full Silver challenges (subject to change).

Scenarios

Scenarios are Blizzard's answer to dynamic questing that has been cropping up in many newer MMORPGs. It also replaces group questing. They will reward players with Valor Points.

Scenarios allow you to quest in a controlled location--meaning various groups won't be competing in a crowded area for objectives.All factions will have associated scenarios.Sample scenario shown: players are tasked to help a Brewmaster find a spice that's only useful when it rains. At first, players save some villages and buildings. You then help the Brewmaster create the lager as it's raining, while she's besieged by Sauroc. In the final phase, you defend the brewery while putting out fires--a giant Sauroc with a huge sword is trying to destroy the building.Fights have a different feel than an instance that requires a tank and a healer--with all dps it's quick and unpredictably chaotic.A "Scenario Finder" similar to the Dungeon Finder and Raid Finder will let players find groups easily. Queue times are expected to be low as there are no class requirements.Completing scenarios will reward players with Valor Points and gear.

Pet Battles

We've heard a lot about pet battles and there's been a lot of hype in the community. As luck would have it, they are going well as planned. We got further clarification about how the system will function at tthe press event.

Purely optional activity, but WoW's first mini-game, a turn-based combat system.Over 100 wild pets--some with special quirks. For example, some can be found only between 9pm-midnight, others only in the rain. TCG and Blizzard Store pets will work as well.Players can customize pets by giving them names.Pets will have the following stats: Attack, Defense, Movement Speed, Health.As pets skill up, they will eventually unlock 6 different abilities. Three of these abilities will be chosen by the player for each pet battle.Pets can fight against critters and specific NPCs that have pets for practice.Pet Journal will include a list of current and unobtained pets, pet-specific achievements, and stats.Sample pet battle presented at the Press Tour showed Arthas vs Illidan fighting with three pets each. (Illidan won.) The battle was fairly quick, and impersonal--no opportunity for players to chat or learn the other's name.These decisions are intended to cut down on trash talking and 'the sting of defeat' after a match--problems that dissuade some players from entering into PvP.Losses will not be tabulated.Pets can be swapped out in battle for tactical advantages--some pets are natural counters against others.Pet battles are meant to be light-hearted and quick.

Questing

Blizzard is hoping to achieve different questing and fix what went wrong with Cataclysm's linearity. They also are changing how quest achievements work.

Achievements

Quest achievements will track progress by story lines, not by number of quests completed. One achievement was available:Walk the Land: Complete the following shorelines in the Valley of the Four Winds: Thunderfoot Farms Chen's Masterpiece Zhu's Bastion New Taurajo The Hidden Master The Salvation of Stoneplow Mudmug's Place The Stormstout Brewery The Crane Temple Farwalker Refuge Nesingwary's Safari

The Jade Forest

We got to preview one zone, the Jade Forest, and see these new quests in action.

There's a return to non-linear questing in Mists of Pandaria, as well as a wider array of daily quests available to choose from.The non-linear model was instantly apparent in The Jade Forest--it was possible to have up to 10 quests at the same time.Goal of Pandaria zones is to have less-linear questing. Players aren't expected to complete all questlines when leveling for the first time, but it will be less repetitive on alts.Initial quest rewards were ilvl 372 and ilvl 384, but not every quest rewards gear. Artwork for these quest items still in progress.New common-quality drops from mobs included Windwool Cloth (possibly new tailoring cloth), Four Wind Soju (a weak alcoholic beverage), and Boiled Silkworm Pupa (restores 100k health).The very first series of Horde quests sent the player salvaging a crashed airship, rescuing survivors, and putting the dead to rest. Finding each survivor opened up numerous other quest chains.New takes on familiar quests--there's a really fun bombing quest where the player flies on a box and acid bombs enemies in the jungle.Another quest chain teaches the player how to meditate and introduces pandaren beliefs and history. The player meets with Sage Speaker-Cho at four Carins, gradually learning how to remain calm and meditate, instead of getting distracted or taking a nap. Players get a meditation bar and have to use focus and relaxation buttons to keep the bar balanced at 50%.Other quests address how the way of the Pandaren is different from the Alliance and Horde. One quest tells you to kill crocodiles that are trapping the Hozu--even though a gesture of kindness and dividend later is not the traditional way of the Horde.

Class Changes

Monks now use energy in Brewmaster and Windwalker specs, and mana in Mistweaver.Chi is now simply light energy--Dark Chi has been removed.Monks are intended to be a class where abilities are quickly used--instead of saving up Chi, players are encouraged to use abilities that only cost 1 or 2 Chi, unlike a rogue that would save 5 combo points for Eviscerate.Their racials remained unchanged, but their talents and specializations were able to be previewed for the first time.Monks were given very detailed and unique animations, even in melee. One ability encases the monk in a green bubble with runes, and then levitates them.

Lore Updates

Monks initially were those who brought hope to the oppressed Pandaren under Mogu rule through song and stories. Weapons were forbidden among slaves, so the Monks taught their fellow Pandaren how to fight by harnessing positive energy, or Chi. When the opportunity for revolution struck, they were well-trained to take control.Pandaren get a cutscene with the Alliance and the Horde, showing the current situation and the personality of their faction leader.Horde: Garrosh is berserk that he's missing a fleet of ships, after using the floor in front of his throne to show animated versions of naval battles he's instigated and won against the Alliance. There were major victories off the coast of Tanaris and Tol Barad, with a supply root to Booty Bay established. He ends up strangling a goblin who brings him news of Alliance counter-attacks and reveals that a ship has been lost. He ignores advice to focus on the future instead of the past, and demands payment of debts from realms in his power. This clearly sets the stage for how Garrosh will spiral out of control later.Alliance: The Alliance scene is more subdued, taking place in Varian's war room. The generals calmly analyze the situation and decide to try to rescue their survivors and cargo. The cutscene ends with an epic shot of your character flying over the sea on an Alliance airplane.

Level 45

Charging Ox Wave 1 Chi 40 yd range Instant A mighty Ox effigy rushes towards the target, stunning all enemies within its path for 3 sec. When the Ox reaches the enemy, they and all nearby enemies within 0 yards are knocked back a short distance.

Level 60

Beguile: When attacked, your movement speed is increased by 3% and you cause all nearby enemies to move at 3% reduced speed within 8 yards. This effect can stack up to 6 times. Being attacked from behind causes two stacks of Beguile to be generated instead of one.

While its traveling, you can discharge the Sphere, dealing x damage/healing to all targets at its current location and reducing/increasing all targets movement speed by 70% for 3 sec, but canceling the Sphere.

Level 90

Ring of Peace Instant 2 min cooldown Forms a sanctuary around you, causing all enemies to be unable to attack or cast harmful spells while within it. Lasts 10 sec.

Rushing Jade Wind 40 yd range Instant 2 min cooldown You encase the friendly or enemy target in a whirling jade tornado, becoming immune to all damage and healing and traveling at a quick speed in a distance in front of you.

Chi Cocoon Channeled 2 min cooldown You encase the friendly or enemy target in a cocoon, shielding them from all outside damage and healing and causing them unable to attack.

Deals x damage to enemies and y healing to allies every 1 sec for 8 sec.

You attempt to disable the target's movement, reducing their movement speed by 25%. Stacks up to 2 times.

If you use Disable a third time on a target while they have 2 stacks, all stacks will be consumed and they will be rooted for 8 sec.

Expel Harm 400 mana Melee Range Instant cast 15 sec cooldown Instantly heals the target for 11,421 and causes 100% of the amount healed to instantly be dealt to a nearby enemy as damage within 5 yards of the target.

Depending on the quality of the weapon, your damage done, healing done, and damage reduction may be increased.

Healing Sphere 300 Mana 40 yd range. 1.46 sec cast You form a Healing Sphere out of healing mists at the target location for 30 sec. If allies walk through it, they consume the sphere, healing themselves for 4,010.

Maximum of 3 Healing Spheres can be active by the Monk at any give time.

Legacy of the Emperor 40 yd range Instant You extol the words of the last emperor, increasing Strength, Agility, and Intellect by 5%.

If target is in your party or raid, all party and raid members will be affected.

Meditation Channeled 3 min cooldown Reduces all damage taken by 99% and redirects to you all harmful spells cast against your allies within 30 yards. Lasts 10 sec.

Being the victim of a melee attack will break your meditation, canceling the effect.

Paralysis Melee Range Instant 15 sec cooldown You cause the targets muscles to contract, incapacitating them for 30 sec. If done from behind the target, the duration is doubled. Only one target can be victim to Paralysis at any given time.

Any damage taken will cancel the effect.

Provoke 40 yd range Instant 8 sec cooldown

You mock the target, causing them to rush towards to attack you an increased 50% movement speed.

If targeting your Statue of the Black Ox, you Provoke all enemies within an 8 yard radius of your statue.

Resuscitate 40 yd range 9.74 sec cast Returns the spirit to the body, restoring a dead target to life with 35% of maximum health and mana. Cannot be cast when in combat.

Cast time reduced by 50% if target is in melee range.

Roll 50 Energy Roll a short distance.

Spear Hand 30 Energy Melee Range Instant 30 sec cooldown Requires Ox Stance, Tiger Stance You jab the target in the throat, interrupting their spell cast and preventing any spell in that school from being cast for 5 sec.

If the enemy is facing you when cast, they are also silenced out of all schools for 5 sec.

Spinning Crane Kick: You spin while kicking in the air, dealing Physical damage every 1 sec, to all nearby enemies within 8 yards. Movement speed is reduced by 30%. Lasts 6 sec.

Only usable on non-player targets who have equal or less health than you.

Brewmaster

A sturdy brawler who uses liquid fortification and unpredictable movement to avoid damage and protect allies.

Avert Harm Available Level 48 15 yd range Instant 1 min cooldown Requires Ox Stance You reduce the damage taken by all nearby friendly targets with in 10 yards by 20% and cause half of all remaining damage they take to be re-directed to you. Lasts for 15 sec.

Leer of the Ox Available Level 24 Instant 20 sec cooldown Requires Ox Stance Your Ox Statue stirs hatred in the target, reducing their movement speed by 50% and causing them to attack the statue for 8 sec. The statue must be within 40 yards of the target.

Requires Statue of the Ox to be active.

Mastery: Drunken Brawler Available Level 80 Reduces the damage taken by Stagger by 11.4% and increase the effect of your Guard by 11.4%.

Each point of Mastery reduces the Stagger damage taken by an additional 1.1%, and increases the amount you Guard by an additional 1.1%.

The Black Ox Statue interacts with your Provoke and Leer of the Ox abilities.

Guard (On-Click Effect) Allies can right-click the Statue to gain the Guard effect, absorbing 128256 damage. Any healing done by the Monk is increased by 30% while Guard is active. Guard has a 10 charges.

If cast while channeling Soothing Mists, Surging Mists will be instant cast and heal that target over all others.

Stance of the Wise Serpent Available Level 10 Increases healing done by 20% and replaces your Chi resource to Mana.

Any ability which costs Chi will now cost Mana instead.

Teachings of the Monastery Available Level 72 You become adept in the ways of the Mistweave, amplifying three of your abilities.Surging Mist: When you Jab or Expel Harm, the cast time of your next Surging Mist is reduced by 50%. Stacks up to 2 times. Lasts 12 sec.

Expel Harm: Expel Harm no longer has a cooldown.

Spinning Crane Kick: When you deal damage with Spinning Crane Kick while in Stance of the Wise Serpent, you heal nearby allies equal to 100% of the damage done.

Flying Serpent Kick Available Level 18 Instant 25 sec cooldown Soar through the air forwards at an increased speed.

While traveling, use Flying Serpent Kick again to land yourself, dealing 300 damage to all enemies within 8 yards, and slowing them by 70% for 4 sec.

Legacy of the White Tiger Available Level 66 40 yd range Instant You honor the White Tiger's legacy, increasing mastery by 5. If target is in your party or raid, all party and raid members will be affected.

Mastery: Combo Breaker Grants a 13% chance for Jab to cause your next Tiger Palm to cost no force, or your next Blackout Kick to cost no force and be usable on targets regardless of their health percentage. Each point of Mastery increases the chance by an additional 1.4%

Muscle Memory Available Level 72 Your fighting technique improves over time during combat. Anytime you Jab a target from behind, your chance to critically hit with Jab increase by 1% for 30 sec. This effect can stack up to 100 times.

Sparring Available Level 42 Requires Ox Stance, Tiger Stance When you are attacked by a melee enemy in front of you begin to spar their attacks, increasing your chance to parry by 5% for 10 sec. This effect has a 30 sec cooldown.

When you attack them back, Sparring is amplified by an additional 5%. Stacks up to 3 times.

Dungeons and Raids

General Changes

We found out some big details in our interviews. LFR will be available at level 90, but it will be reworked; valor points are changing; and the tier system may be reworked.

First tier of Pandaria raiding will have 14 bosses, available on LFR, Normal, and Heroic difficulty.LFR looting will be reworked--individual-based rolls like in Diablo. Completing additional objectives in WoW--such as a number of daily quests--will give players a buff allowing them an additional roll (that does not impact other players).Valor Points are completely reworked. They are no longer a currency for actual items, but something you use to (repeatedly) augment the ilvl of your gear. Details are still being worked out as to how many times players can bump up the ilvl, or what happens when players hold onto an ancient item for the stat combinations.Monks will not share tier on Vanquisher tokens. In fact, the tier system may be completely revamped still.Scarlet Monastery and Scholomance are intended to be quick instances that keep their character but remove their less-favorable components. Surrounding zones will not receive quest and lore updates--it just seemed logical to update these because players always loved them.

Achievements

As you'd expect, it looks like mounts and 5-man achievements will be in-game at the expansion's launch.

In addition, most titles from achievements will be BoA--your alts can wear titles once they reach the minimum level needed to kill the boss/acquire the achievement. However, realm-first titles will probably not be BoA.

Show Me Your Moves!: Defeat the terra-cotta army in Mogu'shan Vaults on normal or heroic difficulty without any member of the raid being hit by Devastating Arc, Stomp or Energizing Smash.

The Obvious Solution: Eliminate the remaining Sha imprisoned in the Sealed Chambers and then defeat the Sha of Violence in Shado-pan Monastery on Heroic Difficulty.

Hate Leads to Suffering: Defeat Taran Zhu while every party member is at maximum hatred in Shado-pan Monastery in Heroic Difficulty.

Glintrok N'Roll: Defeat Gekkan and his Glintrok entourage in Mogu'shan Palace on Heroic difficulty within 5 minutes of being spotted by the Glintrok Scout.

Scholomance

Scholomance was talked about at length during the event. It's obvious they want to give it the Deadmines treatment, but avoid the disappointment many fans felt when they remade other instances such as Zul'Gurub.

Goal of Scholomance is to keep the flavor of old instances while removing weaker sections.Updates are clear from the start in animated heads that appear on the wall, with eyes that follow you.Layout was strengthened: for example, everyone skipped the first room, so now its a focal point with a boss.The central classroom was updated to have more benches, classrooms, candles, and creepy pictures--feels like a classroom instead of empty space.Jancice Barov keeps her flavor and numerous shades, but her trash is less lethal with the toxic clouds, and it's easier to see around corners.Similarly, the early room with the skeletons summoned from piles keeps that mechanic--but instead of trash packs, it's more interesting. Lillian Voss is fighting Darkmaster Gandling as skeletons spawn.Darkmaster Gandling is still the final boss, but he's "really into fire now." Fire spins around the entire central room on both floors. The mini-bosses weren't previewed, but in fighting Gandling, you'll be ported to various rooms like you were in the original fight.Intended to be more focused and quicker experience than the original dungeon.

Stormstout Brewery

Stormsout Brewery will be a light-hearted 5-man where players fight hozen (monkeys) that have broken into the brewery. Notably, there are several interactive items that you can pick up and equip to add flavor to the instance.

The hozen have invaded the brewery and are extremely drunk. Some are asleep and some are fighting because "monkey knife fights are amazing."For the initial trash and rooms, players have to break up the party--tapping kegs, blowing up brews. There's fireworks, bouncers, and hone with party hats. After players clear enough of the room, the first boss encounter starts.The second segment focuses on the virmen. The trash drop hammers, which players can pick up and equip for fun animations and more damage. The boss here is Hoptallus, a gigantic evil bunny with themed abilities.In the last section, you fight angry beer spirits that have come to life as beer elementals--sudsy, bubbling, etc. The final boss is a very upset spirit--Zany the Uncasked.

Temple of the Jade Serpent

Lore from Tankspot and Krelumian were able to run most of the Temple of the Jade Serpent--it seemed pretty cool watching them across the room! This instance was a shrine built for the last emperor, who defeated the Shaw ("similar to the slime from Ghostbusters 2") and bound them until heretic pandaren set them free to feed on emotions.

The first boss is surrounded by pools of water in a circular drainage and irrigation pattern.

In the first phase, the boss will periodically blow up random pools.

The second phase is mostly a tank and spank. There is a beam-style spout and the water ignites.

The second boss has three stances.

Fire Stance: AoE, sends waves of fire around the room.

Jade Stance: AoE, waves of fire now leave lingering trails.

Jade Dragon Stance: Fire breath ignites floor under players.

Another boss places a dot on the player which can be dispelled. It also summons shades which link to the player--when their energy bar hits full, it detonates and will heal the boss/damage the player.

There was another boss that seemed pretty tricky--it AoEd the party for a ton of damage and had an uninterruptible nasty ability.

Comments

Comment by Adamsm

After MoP... I really want to see the "WoW Movie" get a foothold and start movie-ing.

Please no, unless they get a different director for it(visions of Emo-Orcs dancing around like Parker in Spider-man 3).

Comment by spinker

on 2012-03-21T23:38:50-05:00

Wow, I am really excited for this expansion now! Thanks for all the updates! You guys rock!

Comment by Interest

on 2012-03-22T00:19:06-05:00

After MoP... I really want to see the "WoW Movie" get a foothold and start movie-ing.

Please no, unless they get a different director for it(visions of Emo-Orcs dancing around like Parker in Spider-man 3).Personally, I didn't have too much of a problem with Spider Man (I honestly think there are worse movie). There are definitely some issues, but...*shrug* (Mario Mario...ftl)

Comment by Flaks

on 2012-03-22T00:41:41-05:00

I'm wondering what they'll be doing with the professions. They really haven't gotten a lot of love since TBC and hopefully they'll be going back to a similar system where tailoring professions remain relevant outside of making money. Something along the lines of stunheralds again. I don't see why we can't have tier relevant weapons be created by professions even if their BoP.

Comment by Frizbo

Comment by tincmetals1

I would like to point out there is a mystery talent for level 75 monk. It woudl contradict their design of three talents per tier, for there to be only two talents for that one.

Comment by Maricah

on 2012-03-22T04:48:18-05:00

I think it's odd that I keep reading 'Force' instead of 'Chi' on some of the skills. << Some one should fix that, it's very distracting.

Comment by a06i

on 2012-03-22T05:42:24-05:00

1st when MoP was shown at blizzcon, i hated so much but as i seem now its gonna be a much better expantion than cata. Cata made me stop playing for couple of months which, im still doing now but i guess that when MoP comes ill play it :)

Comment by Gzer0

on 2012-03-22T14:15:42-05:00

Got shocked second by second while i was reading the thread ! Everything were amusing , interesting and exciting !Alsooooo hallelujah , Finally the garrosh story will be finished !

Comment by 0j0n

on 2012-03-22T16:51:23-05:00

everything looks great, but one thing makes me wonder, if the Garrosh raid is in orgrimmar, will orgrimmar still be the place where the horde sits.during that patch, will we have to move to Thunder Bluff until we can move back? Will Orgimmar still have the same apperance? (as in that where Garrosh sits right now, is only a couple of seconds of walking from the front gate)

Comment by Adamsm

on 2012-03-22T17:04:52-05:00

Phased instance, same as what happened to Ogrimmar and Undercity during Battle of the Undercity quest line.

Comment by Djolgaahn

Anyone else thinking of the giganormous turtle/island in Naruto Shippuuden?

Comment by Taladorn

on 2012-03-22T20:17:28-05:00

Great video, has a lot of detail in it. Very excited for new valor point spending where you don't get armor you just upgrade existing armor. New talent system also sounds cool. Does anyone know what will happen to the valor gear that people already have? Because what if i have full valor gear; will it disappear and leave me armor-less?

Comment by Agniwolf

everybuddy loves thrall that is a fact to raid orgrimmar a see garrosh as a boss not to forget that the alliance will come and go from orgrimmar is simply trash

if that is so why dont we team up and raid stormwind to take down varian?why not? cause he is human and the leader of alliance and as so the goody-two-shoes of azeroth

although he is a war leader garrosh at least reunited the orc with the dragonmaw and made orgrimmar grow

he even spent his pocket money in the war instead of taking it from more taxe and varian atacks some traders post just cause they are orcs (a menace no matter how you look at it, it kinda reminds me that it was right to kill a sarracen in the crusades, their beliefs and the rest didn't matter)

it is a pity to kill garrosh, i even learned how to like him even though i play as BE and he doesn't consider them part of the horde. but whe also know that the BE are the most scorned by blizzard, despite their realy rich lore they are a instance apart of EK and they could not rebuild their capital after 2 expansion not to mention to take the plaguelands, after all the temple of light is there and the light is something fit to the alliance despite the horde having such followers themselves wich is realy biased

i wanna see wich member of the alliance wold say lets team up agains varian-> not gonna happen even if he were sargeras himself